The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-09-29
At ST, LOUIS,
The Veterans Swarming TO the Ma
tiOnal Encampment.

The following. compiled from st. Louis dis
patches, gives some idea Of the mighty gather
ing of veterans there 10 attend the Encamp-
ment. Every train entering the city Sunday
was loaded down with members Of the Grand
Army, their families aud friends Although a
few dropped in" every day during the past
week, 10 was not expected that the rush would
begin before Monday aud the local committees
were therefore somewhat Unprepared. Every
man came nobly 10 the front. however, and
each incoming train was met by detachment
of local Grand Army men, and the arrivals
were escorted TO their respective headquarters
without any furry. The visitors arriving
Sunday were variOusly estimated all the way
from 10000 up 10 10000. The streets were
filled with people, the beat of the drum was
heard, and fiags and banners were flying and
being placed in position everywhere.
The California delegation, 300 strong was
the first large body TO arrive in the morning.
They had been on the road over a week, and
had been entertained and feted at Las Vegas
and Topeka while en- ronte. Six hundred boxes
of wine and two carloads of fruit and agTicul-
tural products were in the baggage-cars on the
rear end OF the train that brought in the dele
cation. The Posts not only of California, hut
of Nevada, Arizona, and solitary one that has
been brought into existence in the Sandwich
Islands, were represented in the delegation,
and lollier crowd could scarcely be imagined.
Headquarters were NJ once established at the
Lacede. -Four hundred boxes of wine were
conveyed TO the anteroom, and committee
was dispatched 10 notify the Posts at the other
hostelrics that the CaliforniaIs were keeping
open house. Still another committee was APP
pointed TO corral any wearer of a Grand Array
badge TO be found upon the streets. Few of
them needed a second invitation, and for the
rest OF the day and evening standing room in
the headquarters and their approaches was at
premium.
When the train which carried the Wisconsin
delegation reached the Union depot there were
thousands inside and as many more outside.
Seventeen OF the boys in blue forming the spe-
cial escort TO Gov. Rusk alighted from the for
ward car. Nine of them were minus an arm,
five had but one leg apiece and two more were
on crutches. Back of them appeared the tow
ering form Of the Governor himself and as the
is formed in line, with Robert Chivers Post, OF
Milwaukee, and its fife and drum corps at their
head, volume of cheers went up that fairly
shook the roof OF the structure. The ovation
was repeated when the delegation arrived in
front of the Lindell, and three times three was
given by the occupants of the crowded lobby as
the veterans marched through in single file. In
the ladies' parlor local committee was in wait
ing 10 welcome them. "If you see anything
you want, ask for it," said old Col. ID. p Dwyer,
the spokesman. If you don't see anybody to
injunction would be strictly obeyed
Fifty comrades from Albany. Utica, Syracuse
aud Buffalo. in escort of Department Com
mander George ID. Treadwell, came in about 9
o'clock. With them were a score OF members
of the Woman's Relief Corps. On the same
train was delegation of20 from the convention
of the Ex-Prisoners of War held in Chicago last
week, with q. w. Mcintosh, of that city, at its
head
Among the arrivals Sunday was Gen. VIII
liam Il. Sherman, who, notwithstanding the
frequent bulletins of his approaching train,
which arrived in this city at D. m, managed
TO give the crowd the slip and had made his
way nearly TO the Lindell Hotel before he was
oyertaken by the Reception Committee. After
short welcome he accompanied Mr.. Henry
Hitchcock TO his home and rested few hours
At 7:30 p. m. Ransom Post assembled at the
residence of Mr.. Hitchcock 10 escort their old
commander 10 the headquarters. He thanked
them for their attention and said that he wish
ed 10 be one OF the boys, and as he was not
ready then TO go he would join them at the
Post headquarters later.
Shortly before 8 o'clock be entered the hall,
which was filed by many comrades from dis
lance, and the first meeting of the Grand En-
campment may be said TO have begun. After
an hours routine business the guests were
called upon for talks, 10 which Gen. Sherman
responded by five minutes review OF the
formation and growth Of Ransom Post Many
men of wealth, said he, who sent substitutes 10
the war, would now willingly give part of their
riches 10 be entitled TO a seat in this body Al
luding TO the many invitations he had received
10 join Eastern Posts, he said he had declined
them because he desired to retain his member
ship with this Post. Several other comrades
made brief speeches before adjournment.
Gen. Sherman being asked if he was a can
didate for Commander-in-C Chief emphatically
replied: No; and please put that in the plain
est type you have" He says that under no
circumstances can he be induced 10 be a can
didate for the honor